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Temporary Ban on East Malaysian Poultry Meat, Eggs in UAE

Published August 9th, 2018 - 11:24 GMT

Samples of food products are transferred to labs to ensure they are safe. (Shutterstock)

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) on Thursday announced that it has temporarily banned the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs and their non-heat-treated waste from East Malaysia (the states of Sabah and Sarawak) in the emirates.

The ban applies on the import of poultry meat and non-heat-treated by-products and table eggs from the state of Sabah. However, thermally-treated poultry products (meat and eggs) have been cleared for import from all parts of Malaysia.

The ban follows the notification on August 6 from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of the outbreak of a highly contagious strain of H5N1 bird flu on a farm in East Malaysia.

Sheikh Dr Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, said: "Through taking immediate precautionary measures to curb any strains of the bird flu virus that has affected East Malaysia from reaching the UAE, MOCCAE hopes to ensure bio-security levels and prevent the spread of pathogens in the country. We are confident such efforts will mitigate the impact of the bird flu on the UAE's poultry health and safety, in addition to protecting public health and well-being."

MOCCAE is carefully scrutinizing documentation accompanying consignments (certificate of origin, health certificate and halal certifications, among others) of food products shipped into the country. The Ministry is also conducting sensory detection to ensure that the quality of the products - as per their identification cards - complies with the UAE's stringent standards. Samples of food products from shipments are transferred to laboratories for the necessary tests to ensure they are safe and fit to enter the country.